BloodyBucket

The reason Headquarters are so effective against tanks is simple. Reams of paperwork shoved down the main gun cause the tank to self destruct when the next round fires. ------------------ "Roll on"

Very interesting, as I am doing a presentation to my reserve unit on this very topic. Not the be all and end all, CM is certainly another tool in the toolbox. It gets people to think tacticaly, an important end unto itself. Of course, the systems employed have changed dramaticaly over the last 56 years, and a game will always be just a game, but compared to other games on this scale CM is outstanding. Until society lets us kill each other and destroy property in training (not likely or desirable) we cast shadows on the wall and try to predict the future with them. CM is one of the best and most entertaining shadows out there, and as long as the limitations of this or any sim are not mistakenly taken as gospel, it does more good than harm to use them. The mind is a powerful weapon on any battlefield, and CM can help sharpen that weapon. It can stimulate tactical thinking. It cannot replace other methods of training or experience. Just the opinons of a humble Master Sergeant. Your mileage may vary. ------------------ "Roll on"

It would be great if incoming mortars differed from incoming artillery in the wav files. ------------------ "Roll on"

My father was a BAR gunner in "E" Co., 2nd Bn., 110th Rgt. 28th infantry during WWII. Their insignia was a red keystone, hence "bloody bucket". "Roll On" was the division motto. Just seemed appropriate. ------------------ "Roll on"

What a pleasure it is to have such an excellent game receive such outstanding support! A salute to BTS. We tip our helmets to you! ------------------ "Roll on"

The original "Battle Cry" was the first board game I played, but before that we took a Marx army man play set and a wooden ramp we built and rolled marbles at the soldiers. Actually, a lot like CM, now that I think about it. ------------------ "Roll on"

Re Silver Stars comments- Agreed. ------------------ "Roll on"

I have only seen frags go off through some very thick and dirty plexiglass, and they are not the big gasoline hollywood explosion commonly seen in movies. More of a flash with lots of dirty smoke, and the sound is kind of a big "WHUMPH" rather than sharp bang. They are very scary little buggers indeed. Of course, these were not the old pineapple variety, wich might be a different story. ------------------ "Roll on"

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Spook: Please give my regards to your father, BloodyBucket. I don't know as to what time he became a POW, but between the losses of the Hurtgen and the stand of the 110th at Clervaux, he and his comrades paid above & beyond their share of dues. Ed<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Thank you for the kind words, and I will pass them along. I should have noted he was with the 2nd Bn, and he became a POW on December 19, 1944. After a little Jack Daniels and 55 years seperation from the events, I got him to tell me about the war on videotape. His great regret is having to have killed other men who were as swept up by events as was he. I showed him "Clervaux Sector" on CMBO, and it brought forth a few stories I hadn't heard before, the most striking being his recollection of two inseperable friends on a bazooka team who were killed together when one refused to leave the other as he lay dying. He could not remember the names, but that vision haunts him to this day. Yes, real combat is vile, but remembering those who fought, even in a game, is a good thing. ------------------ "Roll on"

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Spook: I venture to guess by your namesake, BoodyBucket, that your father was a veteran of the 28th Infantry Division. Is that the case?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Quite right, 110th Rgt, Company "E" ------------------ "Roll on"

My father, who fought as a BAR gunner in France and Belgium, will not watch SPR. He says, "Why would I want to relive that?" At the same time, he gets a kick out of watching CM, although he gets creeped out by the artillery graphics and the sounds. He thinks of it as an historically based amusement, although he thinks computer games are a waste of time. He harbors no ill will toward the Germans he fought at all, even though he had terrible experiences in combat and as a POW. He thinks they were "stuck in the storm" just as he was. As to the morality of wargaming, I think it is only wrong if you fall into the trap of thinking that the game equals the experience of war. A game like CM can be realistic to a great extent tactically, but it of course leaves out the misery, anguish and pain of war. Same with a movie, book or play, although any of these simulations may tap into one's empathy to make one more thoughtful about the horror of war. One of the tragedies of war to me is that the sort of people whom we admire for their courage, leadership and imagination are the ones who tend to become physical and emotional casualties. If it were truly random, that would be awful enough, but the reality is worse. As to needing to actually be a combat vet to understand war, I think to some extent that is true, yet veteran status is not a guarantor of empathy or wisdom. Just look at Hitler. ------------------ "Roll on"

I have two decades in with the USMC, and first let me congratulate you on your desire to be one of us. Next, you are still a civilian, so go over the recruiter's head. Your congressman is a good start. Try the link earlier in the thread. DO NOT get laser eye surgery. Write to your senators, talk to other recruiters from a different recruiting station. If you want to be a Marine, you have to get used to the idea of NEVER quitting. Good luck. ------------------ "Roll on" [This message has been edited by BloodyBucket (edited 12-29-2000).]

Amen. My father still has a tough time every December 16. ------------------ "Roll on"

An outstanding early gift! Many thanks, and may you have fair winds and following seas! ------------------ "Roll on"

Yikes! Hope that kevlar is all it is advertised to be! ------------------ "Roll on"

As an infantryman, I will always try to stay "Hull Down", no matter what anyone says to the contrary! ------------------ "Roll on"

Since I have all the creative power of a stone when it comes to mods, I can only say "thanks!" to those who post this work gratis to the masses. It is a gift, and should be received as a gift, with gratitude. ------------------ "Roll on"

Yes, the 28th division is my namesake here, as my father was a BAR man in the 110th Regt. of that outfit. BTW, I have been using SNEAK quite a bit more recently with good results. Patience seems to pay off! ------------------ "Roll on"

Anyone else giving CM as a gift this year? ------------------ "Roll on"

I apologize if my sighting the 10% figure caused a stir. Certainly a unit is "damaged" at that level, but not ineffective. The damaged language comes from the aforementioned FM. I have submited a very favorable review of CM to the Marine Corps University. They already use Tacops, as I am sure you well know. ------------------ "Roll on"

A well thought out reply. Certainly, front line units sustain higher casualty rates than 10%, and still function. I think that when FM 7-90 contemplates 10% losses in a unit, the vast majority are in the "sharp end", that is the rifle platoons. Also, a rifleman who is simply too terrified to fight might rightly be considered a casualty in CM, but not need medical care. The term "effective" might be in play here, also. The 28th Division was placed in the Ardennes for refit after suffering badly in the Hurtgen, and fought well during the Bulge. Staff planners would have termed the Division "ineffective" after the losses sustained in the Hurtgen forest, and for planning and offensive purposes, they would have been right. As to Soviet conscripts sustaining 100% losses, perhaps the only thing more terrifying than facing a gun is having one in your back! Certainly, the CM modeling is way within reasonable parameters for interpeting WWII combat. Outstandingly so. My observations are not critical, just an excuse to think more about this great game from an academic angle. ------------------ "Roll on"

I quote from FM 7-90, dealing with mortars: "Destruction renders the enemy combat ineffective. Against soft targets, such as trucks or frame buildings, mortars can be used for destruction, but even then the amount of ammunition expended is large. It requires about 30 percent casualties to render a unit combat ineffective." Current military doctrine regards a unit with 10 percent casualties (classic decimation) as being signifigantly damaged. Units will sustain high casualty rates, but generally only elite units with no choice in the matter will do so. A good example being the U.S. Marines in WWII, in a small island invasion there is no choice but to win or be driven into the sea. Note that this is an observation, not a criticism. CMBO is the greatest thing since sliced bread! A more "realistic" aproach to casualty rates might not help the game, and it is a subjective thing at best. Numerous examples of units breaking at the first shot or fighting to the death can be cited. ------------------ "Roll on"

Interesting. Historically, MOST (not all, certainly) units having casualties in the 10 to 20 percent range became ineffective. My experience has been that the last turns of a battle turn into bloody hand to hand struggles for victory locations, with massive losses for both sides. Of course, I am playing against another Jarhead. ------------------ "Roll on"

I second Mr. Clark. ------------------ "Roll on"

It does seem that the soldiers in CMBO are very willing to lay down their electronic lives in the line of duty without much reservation. Perhaps a Global Morale option would be a nice touch for inclusion in the final TCP/IP Patch? ------------------ "Roll on"